Bill Overview
Title: Better Health Care Directories Act
Description: This bill requires health insurance plans to include additional information in their provider directories, such as whether a provider is accepting new patients.
Sponsors: Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. [D-MI-5]
Target Audience
Population: Health insurance holders
Estimated Size: 300000000
- Health insurance holders often rely on provider directories to select healthcare providers.
- Accurate and comprehensive provider directories can help insured individuals access necessary healthcare services more effectively.
- Both individuals with existing health coverage and those seeking new providers are affected by this change.
- Provider directories are a standard feature in health plans across various markets, impacting a significant portion of insured individuals globally.
Reasoning
- The policy is standardizing information accessible to 300 million Americans with health insurance coverage.
- By requiring updated data on providers, particularly new patient acceptance, individuals can avoid the frustration and delays of contacting providers that are not available.
- The immediate impact on wellbeing could range from low to medium, mainly psychological due to reduced uncertainty and easier access to providers.
- Over long-term, ease of finding new doctors might translate to better health outcomes if individuals can access timely healthcare, which in turn would improve wellbeing significantly for a subset.
- Differences in impact might reflect how frequently individuals change providers or seek specialists. Individuals in urban areas with more options may experience less significant change.
- Cost-effectiveness is high as policy infrastructure adjustments are a one-time, rather than recurrent individual expense.
- Some population segments, like those very satisfied with current providers rarely seeking new ones, will have negligible direct benefits but might still appreciate transparency.
Simulated Interviews
Project Manager (Dallas, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think clearer information on which doctors are available is overdue.
- I've faced the issue of being told a provider isn't available after long waits. This will save time and reduce frustration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Software Engineer (New York, NY)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This doesn't seem critical to me personally as I don't look for doctors often.
- I guess it's good to know who's available if I ever need it.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Easy, accurate access to providers who are available will be incredibly helpful.
- I've wasted time on calls to doctors who can't see me; this change is much needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Freelance Writer (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've faced challenges finding new doctors due to incomplete directory information.
- This policy could alleviate a lot of my stress about healthcare access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Stay-at-home parent (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With kids, it's stressful when you can't find a doctor accepting new patients.
- Improved information means quicker access to care when needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Insurance Underwriter (Chicago, IL)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is welcoming as my family often relocates and finding new doctors is a hassle.
- Accurate directories will greatly assist in timely healthcare access.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having to search for available doctors can be burdensome as appointments need to be regular.
- Having reliable provider info will simplify access significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
College Student (Boston, MA)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't really think about this much as I haven't had to search for doctors recently.
- Good for the future if I need it, I suppose.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Artist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 40 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transparency in directory will save time; often therapists aren't available for weeks.
- It's a good initiative that reduces frustration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Senior Administrator (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 56 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've had trouble coordinating care due to lack of info on provider availability.
- This policy could improve my healthcare experience overall.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $40000000)
Year 2: $28000000 (Low: $18000000, High: $38000000)
Year 3: $29000000 (Low: $19000000, High: $39000000)
Year 5: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $40000000)
Year 10: $31000000 (Low: $21000000, High: $41000000)
Year 100: $32000000 (Low: $22000000, High: $42000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill aims to provide transparency and better information for health insurance consumers, which can indirectly improve healthcare outcomes.
- Implementation costs will likely be transferred to consumers through increased premiums.
- Considering existing infrastructure for provider directories is essential; modernized IT systems may reduce costs.